THE CONSTITUTION

Today’s Essential Question How does the structure of the United States Constitution control the power of the government?

Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity PREAMBLE A preamble is an introduction. The introduction to the Constitution lists the goals of the Constitution (to solve problems under the Articles). GOALS OF THE CONSTITUTION Form a More Perfect Union Establish Justice Insure Domestic Tranquility Provide for the Common Defense Promote the General Welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity

Create Lower Federal Courts ARTICLE I: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CONGRESS (BICAMERAL) – PURPOSE = MAKE LAWS MAJOR POWERS OF CONGRESS Tax Declare War Raise/Maintain and Army Regulate Interstate Trade Tax Imports Create Postal System Coin Money Create Lower Federal Courts POWERS DENIED CONGRESS Suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus Pass Bills of Attainder Ex Post Facto Law Tax Exports HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Based on State Population Directly Elected by People

ARTICLE II: EXECUTIVE BRANCH PRESIDENT: PURPOSE – ENFORCE THE LAW ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT Chief Executive Commander-in-Chief Legislative Leader Judicial Leader Chief of State Foreign Policy Maker POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT Enforce laws passed by Congress Send troops into battle Enter into Treaties Appoint Federal Judges Appoint Ambassadors Grant Pardons - Reprieves

ARTICLE III: JUDICIAL BRANCH SUPREME COURT – PURPOSE – INTERPRET THE LAW 9 Justices – Appointed by the President Justices serve life terms. Supreme Court oversees actions of Congress and the President. Court uses the Constitution to make sure government actions are Constitutional.

Protect against invasion ARTICLE IV: RELATIONS AMONG THE STATES This article establishes what the states agree to do for one another, and what the federal government will provide to each state. Called “Full Faith and Credit Clause” STATE to STATE Respect laws, contracts, etc.. Extradition – send criminal to stand trial in other states. FEDERAL to STATE Rules for admitting new states to the Union Republican form of Government Protect against invasion

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS PROCESS BY WHICH CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE CONSTITUTION

Methods of Proposal Method 1 By 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate [most common method of proposing an amendment] Method 2 By national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures [This method has never been used]

Methods of Ratification By legislatures in ¾ of the states [in all but one case, this is how amendments have been ratified] Method 2 Ratified through conventions in ¾ of the states. [Only been used once to ratify the 21st Amendment]

ARTICLE VI: SUPREMACY OF NATIONAL LAW All debts contracted under the Articles of Confederation will be honored by US Government US Constitution, Federal Law, and Treaties are the Supreme Law of the Land (Supremacy Clause) All Federal Public Officials will take an oath to protect and support the Constitution >

ARTICLE VII: RATIFICATION For the Constitution to go into effect, it had to be ratified, or approved by 9 of 13 states. RATIFICATION 9 of 13 STATES

What do you think the term living constitution means?

Summing Up... How does the structure of the United States Constitution control the power of the government?